Page 167 of Lose You Twice

Wrenley Mae: Out where?

Kai: dinner.

Wrenley Mae: Like in public?

Kai: usually where dinner happens.

Then:

Wrenley Mae: Are you asking me on a date, Mercer?

My thumb stills.

Kai: yeah.

Her response takes long enough that Weston whispers, “What’s happening?”

I don’t answer.

Finally, my phone buzzes.

Wrenley Mae: Then yes. I’ll go on a date with you.

My whole body loosens in a way I don’t expect. It’s not like I thought she’d say no, but it still makes me smile like an idiot.

Weston points at my face. “Oh, he’s gone, gone.”

“Shut up.”

“Our boy’s heart has left the premises,” Weston says, fake dabbing at his eyes. “They just grow up so fast.”

26

WREN

By noon on Saturday, I’ve somehow managed to make my already questionable room into a true disaster zone.

Clothes are everywhere, and I don’t think there is a single pair of shoes left in my closet, and I’ve had to restart my hair twice.

Do I take an extra outfit? Are we going anywhere that I’d need to look nice?

No idea, and I’m running completely out of time. I pin my second little space bun into place and pray it stays this time.

With one final glance in the mirror, I throw a quick coat of mascara on and call it good enough. Grabbing my bag, I throw my phone inside and head downstairs.

Mom is standing at the kitchen sink, washing what looks to be potatoes for tonight’s dinner. She looks over as I walk in.

“Hey, honey.” She does a double-take. “You look cute tonight.”

I grab an apple and hoist myself onto the counter. “Why thank you. I have a date tonight after the game.”

Her eyebrows shoot straight up. “Oh? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

I should be offended by how shocked she seems, but I can’t blame her for her surprise. Boys, well, all but one, have been the farthest thing from my mind for years.

I give her a shrug, trying to play it off as nothing. “It’s newer.”

She goes back to washing her potatoes. “What’s his name? Does he go to your college?”